IMechE launches new fund to overcome investment hurdles

Published: 18 September, 2015

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is launching a new fund, Stephenson LP, aimed at helping companies overcome the investment hurdle between Research and Development and bringing a product to market.

The fund, initially worth a total of £2 million, is in line with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ original statement of purpose set out by founder George Stephenson in 1847 to “give an impulse to invention likely to be useful to the world”. It is the first investment fund of this kind by the Institution, and indeed any UK Professional Engineering Institution.

The Stephenson LP Fund is independently managed by specialist venture capital company Midven Ltd. and aims to invest in innovative companies engaged in mechanical engineering over the next few years.

The Fund’s first five investments are into blade compressor company Lontra, fuel cell catalyst developer Amalyst, sensor company Oxsensis, fusion energy company Tokamak Energy and space technology business Oxford Space Systems.

“These investments by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers are not just about providing monetary investment, but about connecting these and other companies to the vast resources and network of the Institution and its membership.

“The Fund fulfills the Institution’s original purpose to give an impulse to invention and also help companies overcome the investment hurdle between Research and Development and bringing a product to market.”

ABB says its forthcoming Switch to Robots seminar (bit.ly/S2RJune16) will explain how ongoing reductions in the cost and complexity of robotic automation are opening up new opportunities for UK SME manufacturing companies. Taking place at ABB’s Milton Keynes site on Wednesday 8th June 2016, the event will provide a simple step-by-step guide to introducing robot automation to the factory floor.